Chittenango firefighters train at Habitat for Humanity home (video)

CHITTENENGO -- Thick, white smoke billowed from the chimney and poured from the bedroom windows of a North Street house on Sunday.

Fire fighters from Chittenango and North Chittenango volunteer fire departments blocked off the street at both ends.

Thankfully, there was no real fire. It was a simulation drill.

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The two departments have recently been using the house for practice, courtesy of its owners, Madison County Habitat for Humanity. The house was donated to the group last year and is scheduled to be torn down to make room for a new structure on the property.

In the meantime, the fire departments may use the structure to practice their skills while wearing full protective gear, which generally weighs 50 to 75 pounds, including an air tank with about 20 to 30 minutes of fresh air.

On Sunday, a smoke machine filled the house. If one were to walk inside, it would become apparent that there is less than six inches of visibility no matter where you look. Even in daylight, windows are not discernible through the smoke.

This was a close simulation to what actual smoke is like, with one exception.

DeForest also said that in a real fire, firefighters are crawling along the floor when entering a smoke-filled house because that is generally where the most clear air is, but not by much.

He explains that by using thermal imaging cameras, firefighters are able to navigate through smoke and locate those in need of help. For their own safety, firefighters have motion sensors on their protective gear that emit a loud signal if the firefighter stops moving for a few minutes. This is handy if the firefighter becomes injured in any way.

The two departments will be practicing at the location over the next month with a variety of other activities, such as advancing a hose in and around the home, and cutting ventilation holes in the roof to practice putting out fires that are fully involved and have reached the attic.

"This is great that we have this opportunity," said Chittenango Fire Chief William Baldwin.

He said there are training towers firefighters use in the area, but after so many times being in the structures, firefighters tend to memorize the floor plan and so training exercises can at times be less of a challenge.

So his department jumps at any chance they have to practice in an unfamiliar building.